Events

Virtually the Blundell Lectures – Autumn 2020

We’re pleased to announce that booking is open for the 45th annual Blundell Property Law Lectures. Booking is essential and there is no charge for the virtual lectures this year. 

Please use the following link to book on the below lecture: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/virtually-the-blundell-lectures-2020-online-event-with-live-qa-tickets-115177157980?dm_t=0,0,0,0,0

Lecture One and Live Q&A

Wednesday 30th September 2020

5pm-6.30pm

Speaker: Professor Nick Hopkins 

MAKING OUR HOMES OUR OWN: THE LAW COMMISSION’S REPORTS ON RESIDENTIAL LEASEHOLD AND COMMONHOLD

On 21 July, the Law Commission published its final reports on enfranchisement, the right to manage and commonhold. These followed the publication in January of its report on the options to reduce the price payable on enfranchisement. Collectively, these reports provide the blueprint for a once-in-a-generation change to how residential leasehold property is owned, and for commonhold to become the preferred alternative to leasehold. In this lecture, Professor Nick Hopkins, the Commissioner who led the work, explains the principles that underpin the recommendations, and considers how the recommendations will ensure that the law that governs how millions of people in England and Wales own their home will be made fit for purpose.

Professor Nick Hopkins is Law Commissioner for England and Wales for Property, Family and Trust Law. He is the lead Commissioner for the Commission’s work on residential leasehold and commonhold. His previous Law Commission projects include Updating the Land Registration Act 2002. Prior to appointment at the Commission he spent over 20 years as an academic, and has published widely in the field of property law. He holds a Chair in Law at Reading University. He is an academic member of the Property Bar Association and Property Litigation Association, and an honorary bencher of Middle Temple.

Live Q&A - Panellists who will join Professor Nick Hopkins:

Natasha Rees, Forsters LLP, is a property litigator with expertise in residential disputes and leasehold enfranchisement.  She advises and acts for estates, charities, commercial landlords and management companies primarily in London.  She also acts for both landlords and tenants in relation to enfranchisement claims and enfranchisement related litigation including professional negligence claims.  As head of the Forsters Enfranchisement Team Natasha has been involved in several landmark cases including Aggio, Sportelli, and more recently Aldford House.

Anthony Radevsky, Falcon Chambers, real property practice includes residential and commercial landlord and tenant, restrictive covenants and property related professional negligence. His main specialism is leasehold enfranchisement (including the right of first refusal) and he is the co-author of the leading textbooks. He has appeared in many of the leading cases from the Supreme Court to Tribunals.

Gary Cowen QC, Falcon Chambers, is an experienced advocate at appellate and first instance levels in all aspects of real property law with particular emphasis on complex issues arising from commercial development. Gary also specialises in complex mortgage disputes, leasehold enfranchisement and commonhold work. Gary is the co-author of a book on Commonhold published by the Law Society.

Please use the following link to book on the below lecture: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/virtually-the-blundell-lectures-2020-online-event-with-live-qa-tickets-115345653956?dm_t=0,0,0,0,0

Lecture Two and Live Q&A

Wednesday 14 October 2020

5pm-6.30pm

Speaker: Anthony Tanney 

FROM PANALPINA TO THE PANDEMIC: LEASES AND THE DOCTRINE OF FRUSTRATION

In what circumstances might a lease be discharged by frustration? And with what effects – especially on third parties? How is the question affected by the availability of insurance against the frustrating event? Or by the inclusion in the Lease of rent cesser and similar clauses? And how might the doctrine of frustration apply to restrictions on use of premises arising from the Covid lockdown? Anthony Tanney investigates.

Anthony Tanney was called to the Bar by Lincolns Inn in 1994, and has been a member of Falcon Chambers since 1995. Prior to commencing practice, he held a full University Lectureship in Law at the University of Durham, where he specialised in the law of real property as well as constitutional law. Anthony’s practice includes almost anything to do with investing in, developing, buying and selling, renting, using and lending against real property of all kinds, as well as property-related insolvency, professional negligence and much else besides. Anthony is a Fellow of the CIArb.

Live Q&A - Panellists who will join Anthony Tanney:

Camilla Lamont, Landmark Chambers, is a barrister and mediator specialising in all aspects of property litigation but with a particular emphasis on commercial and development work. She was called to the Bar by the Middle Temple in 1995. She is an editor of Hill & Redman’s Law of Landlord & Tenant and has previously taught at Oxford University as a lecturer on commercial leases and real property.  Camilla has been ranked for many years in the legal directories as a leading junior in property litigation and she was named Real Estate Junior Barrister of the year at the Chambers & Partners UK Bar Awards 2017.

Frances Richardson, Addleshaw Goddard is a partner in the Real Estate Disputes team in London. She has 18 years of experience acting on high-value, complex property disputes, including contractual construction and rectification claims, insolvency disputes, property-related professional negligence claims, rent reviews and obtaining emergency injunctions against protestors. Increasingly, Frances' practice focuses on advising clients on addressing risks, and crisis management in a property context. Frances assists with editing Butterworths' Business Landlord and Tenant Handbook.  In recent years, Frances has co-led the Property Litigation Association's wellbeing initiative.

Adam Rosenthal QC, Falcon Chambers was called to the Bar in 1999 and has practised in Falcon Chambers since the completion of his pupillage. He took silk in 2020. He has experience of all aspects of property litigation, with numerous appearances in the High Court and the Court of Appeal, as well as the County Court, the First Tier / Upper Tribunals and arbitrations.

SUPPORT YOUR BENEVOLENT ASSOCIATION

The Blundell Lectures have long supported the Solicitors’ Benevolent Fund, RICS Lionheart and the Barristers’ Benevolent Association. In 2020 there is no charge to attend. If you would like to find out more about the wonderful work of each Benevolent Fund (or donate to them) their website addresses are:

https://www.sba.org.uk/, 

https://www.lionheart.org.uk/  

https://www.the-bba.com/